How we Engage
We recognise that every First Nations community is unique. Carrapateena operates in accordance with the high-level principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We sought expert advice to ensure the correct First Nations community group (the Kokatha people) has been, and continues to be, consulted in relation to the activities of the province. A province includes the area and operations spanning the central mine and processing hub, as well as the satellite mines and other nearby resources that may be produced in the future.
In 2014, a Native Title Determination in favour of the Kokatha people was made over all the land upon which Carrapateena operates. We have a strong working relationship with the Kokatha people and executed the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation and OZ Minerals Carrapateena Pty Ltd Partnering Agreement (Nganampa palyanku kanyintjaku ‘Keeping the future good for all of us’) in 2016.
The Partnering Agreement provides the foundation for the relationship between the Kokatha people and our Carrapateena operations. It will apply throughout the life of the Carrapateena mine and during any future OZ Minerals project in Kokatha country, including project rehabilitation.
Its purpose statement is, “KAC and OZ Minerals will work together to create sustainable benefits by leveraging, developing and building on our shared values and aspirations, whilst protecting and respecting country and culture.”
In 2017, the Native Title Mining Agreement (NTMA) for Carrapateena was approved during a community meeting of Kokatha Common Law holders. Reaching consent with the Kokatha Common Law holders was done in a way that aligned with the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The agreement outlines the legal obligations between Carrapateena and the Kokatha people and meets the requirements of the Mining Act.
Capability Building
The NTMA is the local level agreement between Carrapateena and the Kokatha People. Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation manage the NTMA on behalf of the Kokatha People in partnership with the Carrapateena.
During the agreement making process, we agreed to fund initiatives that support Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation’s capacity, including for specific administration, business development and operational roles.
Regular engagement and support are embedded in the relationship.
- The Partnering Management Committee maintains and facilitates delivery of the NTMA consistently with the goals and objectives of the Partnering Agreement. It meets quarterly to discuss collaborative actions and outcomes of the relationship.
- Annual Health Checks are where each organisation spends time together to discuss their relationship and future ways of working.
- Monthly ‘Lean’ Meetings between Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation and Carrapateena help track progress on NTMA related actions and other business.
- Monthly business development meetings allow Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation to proactively seek commercial opportunities within Carrapateena’s operations.
Our strong partnership enables Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation to build its capability in areas where it has identified a need. One example is financial support for Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation Board members to undertake governance training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Cultural Appreciation
We foster cultural understanding and respect by engaging and educating our Workforce (employees and contractors) on how our activities and behaviours impact on the Kokatha and other First Nations communities. This helps to protect cultural heritage sites of significance – both anthropological and archaeological. Building and maintaining strong cultural understanding drives value creation for the business, our stakeholders and communities.
Carrapateena has proactively collaborated with the Kokatha people through the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation to manage cultural heritage. In addition to legislative obligations, the NTMA outlines Carrapateena’s and Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation’s heritage survey obligations. These legal obligations are captured in the Cultural Heritage Management System and associated plans. The Cultural Heritage Management Plan captures the formal process through which OZ Minerals accounts for the importance of cultural heritage features and values in their planning of business activities. Understanding the culture of the Kokatha people and protecting it is part of the Asset’s Legal and Social obligations.
We developed the Kokatha Cross-cultural Respect training in partnership with the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation. The training has four levels and includes online modules and face-to-face delivery.
Carrapateena works closely with the Kokatha community to jointly celebrate important cultural events and activities such as NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week.
Going beyond at Carrapateena
A long-life, high-quality asset,
Carrapateena doubles as a hub for innovation and collaboration, and is living
proof of Our Purpose to go beyond what’s possible to make lives better.
Case study: Hybrid Energy Plant
Mining consumes lots of energy, so variability, uncertainty and complexity of energy supply needs to be well managed.
Carrapateena is home to South Australia’s ‘hybrid energy plant’, a unique facility designed to attract global organisations and host experiments focused on finding creative energy solutions for more sustainable mines
We know that to achieve real breakthroughs, we need to think about, and design mines, very differently and collaborate widely.
Carrapateena shows what we can create when we Think and Act Differently.